The Vancouver Riots, Fight Club and Perpetual Adolescence

While the media acts outraged about these riots, they have definitely played their part. The media’s thirst for advertising revenue has created a society where perpetual adolescence and a strong sense of entitlement is encouraged so people will keep buying all the things they don’t need (like $230 Canucks jerseys or 4 $30 Canucks flags on an SUV for example). In a city where everyone seems to be from somewhere else and there is little common identity because so little is invested in the arts and culture, the Vancouver Canucks are the cause that people throw their hopes and dreams behind. Canucks slogans like “This is what we live for” say it all.

Judging by spectacle last night, a lot of young men (who from media accounts are mostly from the suburbs…) can’t handle a little bit of liquor and have trouble expressing their feelings when things don’t go their way. So like any good adolescent they get angry and lash out and attack the wrong people (in this case, trashing their own city). Which is really ironic, because Vancouver is one of the most privileged cities on the Planet and if people think life is hard here, they clearly haven’t been anywhere else in the world.

The Vancouver riots reminded me of this quote from Fight Club:

I see in Fight Club the strongest and smartest men who have ever lived. I see all this potential; and I see it squandered. God dammit, an entire generation pumping gas and waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need.

We are the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no great war, no great depression. Our great war is a spiritual war. Our great depression is our lives. We’ve all been raised by television to believe that we’d be millionaires and movie gods and rock stars – but we won’t. And we’re slowly learning that fact. And we’re very, very pissed-off.

But seriously, if something pisses people off, they should do something productive about it. Get an education, forge relationships with influential people and make a difference. If you’re angry at the state of affairs, do something productive about it.

These are the best commentaries I’ve read on the Vancouver Riots:

1. Vancouver Hockey Riot Is A Symptom of a Larger Problem
2. Fight Club: A Generation of Men Raised By Women
3. Lost boys: Young Men Postponing Adulthood
4. Please Stop Apologizing: A Police Officers Letter To The Rioters
5. Raging Against The Machine

Top 10 Day Hikes Near Vancouver, British Columbia

These are my favourite day hikes near the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. As usual, in no particular order. All of these hiking trails are within 1-2 hours driving distance from the city.

If you want directions and specifics for each hike, I recommend using Vancouver Trails.

1. Dog Mountain

A surreal view of Vancouver's natural harbour as the sun sets.

Photo Credit: Kyle Pearce

The Dog Mountain bluffs have the best-hike-to-view ratio in the Lower Mainland. I try to do this hike every few weeks since it is a quick 25 minutes drive from downtown and it only takes about 1 or 2 hours. Plus, it is an easy hike in the snow. The trailhead is by the Bear’s Paw at the far end of the Mount Seymour parking lot. (more…)

15 Natural Wonders of the Canadian Rockies

A few years ago I spent a year living in the town of Banff. During that time I had the opportunity to explore the backcountry of Banff National Park and the other Rocky Mountain national parks – skiing, hiking, camping and treking in the wilderness.

The natural wonders listed below are a collection of my favourite places in the Canadian Rockies (in no particular order). I was inspired to write this post by reading the 36 Natural Wonders of New Zealand.

1. Morraine Lake

Credit: Calxibe
Photo Stream: Morraine Lake

The surreal blue waters of Morraine Lake and the backdrop of snow-capped peaks in the Valley of Ten Peaks is a sight to see. The ten mountain peaks in the background run along the Continental Divide, which marks the border of British Columbia and Alberta. (more…)